Vicki Winters, Blogger, Foodie, Host of “The Vicki Winters Show”

NY – If It’s Friday morning, sometime between 9AM and 1PM, you will find me and my “Bites On Bikes” tour guests indulging in some of “My Favorite Things” in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. I semi-selfishly added this tour to my offerings because I love lox. I cannot get enough smoked fish in my life.

From Fish To Dish guests meets in Lower Manhattan, where we don helmets, climb aboard our foldable, lightweight TERN Bikes and we are off through the streets.

1. Stop for Coffee and Chocolate at Blue Bottle Coffee

1. An energized ride over the Williamsburg Bridge with a pitstop at the pinnacle for a photo op, and to catch our breath. Then we make a dash into Blue Bottle Coffee on Berry Street for a Caffé Mocha – with Mast Brothers Chocolate. I don’t force feed anyone, so if drip coffee is your cup of tea, I won’t judge.

2. Acme Smoked Fish

2.Next stop is “Fish Fridays” at Acme Smoked Fish on Gem Street in Brooklyn. It’s truly like a gift from heaven, that ACME Smoked Fish happily opens its coolers and its doors to those who “never pay retail,” but really love smoked fish. The line is part of the fun, and when we finally get to the front, there are samples of every type of smoked salmon known to mankind. We head out to the park with a view of Manhattan and have a picnic filled with many different types of lox. I know what you’re thinking. How many types of lox are there?  A lot. We taste them all on Fridays.

3. Peter Pan Donuts

3. Since we saved calories by NOT eating any bagels, our next two stops are for fattening treats. Yes, TWO. First up is Ovenly Bakery, where they bake some fantastically delicious gluten free recipes and my favorite…the simple Chocolate Chip with a pinch of sea salt. Then we head to Peter Pan Donuts on Manhattan Avenue for donuts Like. No. Other.

To book a bike tour or for more on Vicki, click here.

It’s Tony Season!

NY – With the Tony Awards looming (June 9), it may not be the easiest time to find affordable seats on Broadway, but here’s a fun evening built around a show we think will be around for a while.

1. Orso Restaurant

1. Orso Restaurant Fact: Every great night at the theatre starts at Orso.  This cozy Italian trattoria serves up the most delicious comfort food (try the rigatoni bolognese) with some of the best Broadway celeb sightings in the city (they have to eat somewhere).  TDP Tip: Pre-theatre reservations are virtually impossible to snag unless you call exactly 30 days prior.  So mark you calendar and enjoy!

2. Kinky Boots

2. Kinky Boots – This show’s got the most Tony nominations of the season — trust us, there’s a reason. With a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, the Al Hirschfeld Theatre is erupting in thunderous applause every night for this new musical (based on a small movie) which has all the basic elements for a hit: fancy numbers, shimmery outfits, catchy tunes and a big message.  But it’s the cast that really makes the show a must-see for the musical theater lover, especially Billy Porter (amazing), Stark Sands and Annaleigh Ashford.

3. Bar Centrale

3. Bar Centrale - If you’ve still got it in you for an after show cocktail, head on over to this unmarked Victorian brownstone, quietly situated next to Joe Allen’s (you’re going to want a reservation for sure!). When you climb the steep steps and open the huge oak doors, you’ll be positive you’re in the wrong place, which only adds to the elation when you discover there’s a subdued party going on inside. TDP tip: this venue is also an excellent before show choice for lighter fare and tables are easier to reserve at that time.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

NY – Of course it doesn’t have to be Cinco de Mayo to find a reason to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride.  But here are our suggestions for how to at least dine Mexican for one whole day!

1. Huevos Rancheros at Tehuitzingo Deli & Grocery

1. Tehuitzingo Deli & Grocery for Breakfast – Huevos Rancheros, Eggs with Chorizo and Chilaquiles are just a few of the incredibly fresh and reasonably priced breakfast options you can find at Tehuitzingo, a small Mexican Deli in Hell’s Kitchen. This unassuming little mart delivers, but if you happen to walk in to pick up your order, you might be tempted to take a seat at one of their 14 stools in the back for some of the most authentic and reasonably priced Mexican in town.  Tip: make sure to check out all of their insanely delicious salsas that are lined up on the side bar.

2. Habana Outpost in Fort Greene

2. Habana Outpost for Brunch - Brunch at Sean Meenan’s Habana Outpost in Fort Greene Brooklyn is well worth the trek.  Not only is it New York’s first eco-eatery — run on solar power for electricity and even the blenders are bike-powered, but it’s also a community gathering place.  While this location is seasonal, it enjoys the same menu as its city sister and offers outdoor seating, live music, movie nights and even a flea market.  Tip: you must splurge on the infamous Mexican-style corn which is fire-roasted, covered in mayo, cotija cheese and chile powder!

3. Tres Carnes for Lunch

3. Tres Carne for Lunch - What does the lunch experience at Tres Carne have in common with Space Mountain at Disneyworld?  They both have long lines and during the lunch hour at Tres Carnes,  the line goes straight out the door and down the block!  But the food is worth the wait at this new Mexican/Barbeque hybrid taco joint specializing in Texas style smoked meat (like 16 hour smoked brisket, BBQ Smoked Shoulder and Chicked Adobe), all served as either burritos, tacos or in a gluten free friendly rice bowl.

4. El Toro Blanco for Dinner

 4. El Toro Blanco for Dinner – While you won’t spot a huge assortment of traditional dishes here, you may spot a celeb or two at this trendy, retro-style Mexican West Village hot spot that serves surprisingly hearty portions and over 100 selections of tequila. Arrive early to snag a a seat at the bar for a tequila tutorial or reserve a table for the freshly made guacamole that’s prepared to your liking right before your eyes.  Among our favorite dishes are the Fundidos (Mexican cheese and green chile fondue) and the Enchiladas de Pollo.  Delicioso!

5. Mayahuel for After Dinner Drinks

5. Mayahuel – Late Night Cocktail – There’s yet another unmarked door in Manhattan, but this one leads to a sexy underground Mexican den established by Philip Ward and Ravi DeRossi, the mixologists behind Death & Company.  This East Village tequila and mescal bar has an innovative cocktail menu (no surprise) and is dramatically lit by stunning red stained glass and dark cozy nooks that make it an awesome date night locale, if not a perfect spot to hang up your sombrero for the night.

Citi Bike

NY – If you haven’t heard, New Yorkers will soon have a new green way to get around the city with Citi Bike, a bike sharing system consisting of thousands of bikes in hundreds of stations around NYC.

1. Buy a membership and begin riding in May when a total of 6,000 bikes will populate 330 stations in the initial roll out, spanning from East of 59th Street in Manhattan to Downtown Brooklyn, Bed-Stuy and points west. The bikes will be available 24/7, 365 days a year.

The pricing goes like this:

Annual Membership: $95 ($17 cheaper than a monthly subway pass)
7-Day Membership: $25
24-Hour Membership: $9.95 (covers an unlimited number of 30-minutes rides)

NYC Citi Bike Station Map

2. Based on your commute, check the map to figure out what stations are most convenient for you.  Each station has a touchscreen kiosk, a map of the service area and surrounding neighborhood, and a solar powered docking system that releases the bikes with a card or key.  Some locations you may want to check out for are:  

1. At the edge of public parks
2. In pedestrian plazas and privately-owned public spaces
3. On wide sidewalks
4. In curbside lanes, medians and other locations along the street

The Citi Bike App

3. Download the Citi Bike App to figure out station locations, bike availability, and to plan your route!

The Plaza Hotel

NY – If you dream about the Jazz Age, hanging out in speakeasies and doing the Charleston till all hours of the night, there’s a very special and limited experience going on in Midtown that you won’t want to miss.  In anticipation of the premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (which opens on May 10), Tiffany & Co, Brooks Brothers and The Plaza Hotel, are honoring the 1925 novel by rolling out the red carpet.

1. Tiffany’s Exclusive Gatsby Window

1.Tiffany’s – Have an “Audrey” moment at the iconic flagship store on 5th as you peer into their elegant windows which display stunning jewels from the film. The exclusive window installations were designed in collaboration with director, producer and co-writer of The Great Gatsby, Baz Luhrmann, and Academy Award®-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin.  And while you’re there, be sure to venture inside to view many more spectacular diamond headpieces, bracelets, rings and ropes of pearls that were worn by the cast of the film and inspired by the Tiffany archives. You will also find gorgeous Art Deco furnishings you won’t want to miss at the 4th floor salon.

2. See Costumes from The Great Gatsby film  at Brooks Brothers on Fifth Avenue

2. Brooks Brothers - Catherine Martin and Baz Luhrmann were also inspired by images and products from the Brooks Brothers archives.  Established in 1818, the mens clothier is the oldest chain in the U.S. and is mentioned multiple times in Fitzgerald’s works.  Brooks Bros made 500 men’s costumes that were worn in the Gatsby film and a handful of those can be seen on display at the 5th Avenue store where they have also unveiled a special Gatsby Collection available for purchase in-store or online.

3. Memorabilia from The Great Gatsby Era at The Plaza Hotel

3. The Plaza Hotel – A favorite destination of Gatsby author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda, The Plaza is in full celebratory Gatsby mode.  Start at the 5th Avenue entrance where you can venture into the main lobby and visit the Champagne Bar, which has been magically transformed into a lounge that would have no doubt pleased the Fitzgeralds.  Throughout the hotel you can enjoy 1920s-inspired cocktails and Wednesday/Thursday nights you can ring in Gatsby Hour at the decadent Rose Club, with a live jazz band and a Prohibition-inspired Speakeasy Menu.

Next, browse through an exclusive collection of props and costumes from the film on your way to Todd English’s Food Hall for added Gatsby-inspired fare, including more authentic cocktails, live music and plenty of circa 1920s culinary dishes. If it’s the weekend, enjoy a limited-time ‘Brunch Like Gatsby’ menu with an assortment of egg entrees and if you make your visit in the afternoon, indulge in the Fitzgerald Tea for the Ages at the famous Palm Court.

The Gatsby Suite

If that’s all not enough for you, try booking the 900 square-foot Fitzgerald Suite, located on the 18th floor. The Art Deco-designed space, also by Catherine Martin, is such an authentic blast to the past, you may not even notice which items came from Restoration Hardware.

When it’s all said and done, you’ll most likely be as tempted as we were to go back and read The Great Gatsby.  If you’ve never had the pleasure, there’s no time like the present.

For more info on Gatsby at The Plaza and to watch The Great Gatsby movie trailer, click here.

The Plaza Hotel

Sharon Rowe, Eco-Bags Products, Inc. CEO

NY – I am passionate about living a green, simple and abundant life, and every Earth Day I try to find my inspiration in nature.  This year I’m all about the water, and there’s certainly plenty to be found around the island of New York City!  I hope you will share my inspiration this Earth Day and feel the “WOW — I love NYC!” with these water inspired ideas!

ECOBAGS were first sold at the Union Square Farmers Market   Illustration by: Julian Rowe

1. Ride a bike along the Hudson River Trail — bring yours or rent one and ride from Harlem to the Battery and back.  Stop at the Union Square Farmers Market for yummies.  Feel the wind in your face.

2. East River Ferry

2. Get on the water!  Take a ferry ride from downtown across the East River to Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Need organic inspiration?  Get some organic wine.  Don’t forget your ECOBAGS tote in case you want to pick up some extra bottles.

3. Prospect Park Lake

3. Or… get some fresh organic juice at Stoop Juice in Park Slope and then hang out in Prospect Park next to the only freshwater lake in Brooklyn.  Listen to the sounds of Spring.

4. Bay Ridge Brooklyn

4. Check out the ocean?  Head over to the ocean walkway in Bay Ridge Brooklyn.  Take a deep breath in and smell the salty water.

5. Feeling the WOW?  Now, get involved.  Support keeping NYC’s waterways clean and open everyone.  Happy Earth Day!

For more on Sharon, click here.

NY Post Bus Tours

NY – The Problem:

Your jaded friends from LA are in town and are looking for something fun to do.  They’ve walked The High Line, climbed the Top of the Rock and eaten their way through Eataly, and now it’s up to you to come up with a quintessential New York experience that’s outside the box but not too touristy.  

Route of NY Post Bus Tour

The Solution:

Check out SHOCK AND ROLL, the new double-decker New York City tour bus literally ripped from the headlines of the New York Post.  Become an expert on the gore and gossip of the city as you take ride on the wild side of the mean streets of Midtown, SoHo, Greenwich Village and lower Manhattan. No two tours are alike and they are updated every week with the latest news, gossip and headlines directly from the pages of the New York Post.

The Brooklyn Diner

If you get on the 10 am tour, grab breakfast before at The Brooklyn Diner.

The Burger Joint in The Parker Meridien

Or, if you’re looking for lunch, The Burger Joint is the ‘New York in the Know’ place to go!

Author, Damona Hoffman

LA – Even though people have labeled me as a foodie, as a dating coach I am constantly reminding my clients that dinner and a movie is not the way to a girl’s heart. Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, a stomping ground for artists, and a beautiful place to explore. So, before booking that reservation or picking up that fork, consider these unique date ideas which will earn major points for creativity and bonus points for fun!

Grauman’s Chinese Theater*

1. Go on Tour – LA is a destination for tourists worldwide. They come from miles around to jam their fingers into the suspiciously small handprints at Grauman’s and rub elbows with the stars. Though some would label them as corny, you and your date can have a blast seeing the city through new eyes on a guided tour.  If you’re not into taking the TMZ bus up and down Hollywood Blvd., take a walk on the weird side with Esotouric’s Black Dahlia tour.

2. The Great Outdoors – We live in the one of the most temperate climates in the country so take advantage of it by staying outdoorsy year round.  Get your heart rate up in more than one way by taking a Full Moon Hike in Franklin Canyon park.

Gondolas of Long Beach

3. Life is More Romantic on a Boat – Our proximity to the ocean makes LA the ideal place to make a splash.  Kayaking, whale watching, even riding a classic gondola through the canals of Long Beach can turn up the romance.

4. Heat Things Up – Amateur cooking classes are hot, hot, hot! Learning and creating something together can do wonders for intimacy. Hipcooks offers a cozy class environment where you can learn a new recipe together and join your fellow chefs for a family-style meal.

5. Team Up – Join forces by going on a double date. Voila! You have a team that is scavenger hunt ready.  Create your own or go along for the ride with Watson Adventures who has already plotted out riddles and clues that will take you through LA’s historic twists and turns.

Hollywood Bowl*

6. Live Performance  – We’ve become accustomed to sitting in movie theatres without performers who can interact back. For a change, get tickets to a live theatre, music or comedy show instead. In addition to great shows at The Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Pantages, you can find amazing, cheap and sometimes even free shows throughout the city and  you never know which headliners might drop in.

7. Taste of LA  – I love a wine flight as much as the next girl but here in LA, we have so many rich cultures to explore, each with their own unique gastronomical delights. Tequila, Vodka, Whiskey, you can have it all in Los Angeles, so why not take your date on a trip around the world without leaving the city limits.

8. Give back – LA is the home of not only extreme wealth but also extreme poverty (though sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s who in this city by looks alone). Volunteering for a local charity that you’re both passionate about can help you make others feel good while also feeding your own soul.

For more on Damona, click here.

*Photo Credit: Elizabeth Mercer 

Totally Tyler

NY – Instead of the usual dinner and movie, a recent date offered to give me a tour of historical gay establishments in Manhattan and I’m thrilled to share the details of my day with The Downtown Project!

1. Leslie + Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art

1. Our tour started one chilly Saturday afternoon in Soho at the Leslie + Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art.  Co-founders Charles Leslie and Fritz Lohman began collecting art in 1969 and now the first and only gay art museum in the world counts Andy Warhol and Robert Mapplethorpe among its permanent artist collection.

2. Julius Bar

2. From Soho we checked out Julius Bar in the West Village, frequented back in the day by Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote and now known for delicious burgers. The building dates back to 1826 and although it’s thought to be the oldest gay bar in New York, that distinction actually goes to the Upper West Side’s Candle Bar Amsterdam.  Back in the 60’s, it staffed gay bartenders and openly served gay men long before the Mattachine Society, a gay rights group, induced a “Sip-In” protest.  Until the Sip-In, it was illegal for gays to cruise in bars.  Patrons were encouraged to face the bar and those who turned away from the bar to scope the room were ejected by bouncers. Thankfully, my date and I were free to cozy up to a table made from a vintage Jacob Ruppert Brewery barrel and flirt with one another over burgers and beer.

3. Christopher Park

3. A West Village bar-hopping excursion would not be complete without visiting the iconic Stonewall Inn,the location of the  legendary Stonewall Riots of 1969 and the beginning the gay liberation movement.  We ended our evening with a stroll across the street through Christopher Park, home to pop sculptor George Segal’s Gay Liberation. After suffering years of vandalism while on display in Connecticut and Wisconsin, the sculpture was moved here and serves as a reminder of the bravery and struggles endured in the fight for gay equality. As my date and I stood, proudly looking at the celebrated sculpture in the moonlight, I couldn’t help but notice that despite the numerous bars within ear shot, the quiet park was filled with a solemn reverence. It was a stark contrast to the nights of turmoil outside of the Stonewall Inn in 1969 — and a welcome reminder of how far we’ve progressed as a society.

For more on Tyler, click here.

Artist Rosario Varela

NY – Living in New York City affords me the outrageous fortune of drinking in a magnificent and ever-changing natural and manmade cityscape day in and day out from my UWS apartment window (see above).  And as an artist, I’m always open to receiving inspiration from the masters.

MOMA

 

1. One of my regular outings is to The Museum of Modern Art (affectionately known as MOMA). I like to grab a quick and delicious lunch at the cafeteria on the 2nd floor. The tables are communal but the menu is far from common or perhaps sit quietly (while people watching) in the sculpture garden.

2. A cappuccino stop at Le Pain Quotidien in Central Park.

2. Or from the Upper West Side, I walk through Central Park with camera in hand. This never gets old! Each season proves to be more magical than the next.  For a little sustenance, I grab a cappuccino at Le Pain Quotidien.

3. Frisee salad aux lardons and a glass of prosecco at Cafe Bouchon

Tilda Swinton Sleeps in a Glass Box at MOMA

And if you happen to be at MOMA in the near future you just may be lucky enough to witness Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton… sleeping in a box.  All in the name of art, of course!

Maya Meirav

NY – It’s no secret that a typical day in the fashion capital can leave your head spinning, your high-heeled feet tender, and, in general, the majority of your systems over-stimulated.  While the bulk of wheeling and dealing happens between 34th and 40th, I’m all for mixing business with some chic pleasure.  

12 Chairs Cafe

1. After scouting just-the-right-coral-hue silk twill, and the 100th emerald-green 4-ply-crepe for the new collection, it’s time for business; a quick ride down Fashion Avenue to Soho to take a meeting at 12 Chairs; a cup of their Italian coffee is sure to get you through any afternoon slump, and the Israeli menu is both delicious and will make your skin glow (ah, the Mediterranean diet).  For a long-time expat, it’s like being back home.

City Winery

2. When all that official business is done, there’s some serious unwinding to do. Music is my favorite escape, and one of the area’s jewels is City Winery. At first glance the place looks massive, but their concerts always feel intimate and the atmosphere warm and casual. The impressive roster includes international & local faves, they even feature a special wine for the big stars. Tip: I like to walk in at 6, just as they open the doors and with plenty of time before the place fills up for the 8pm show. sipping a glass of wine, or better, a sentimental single malt, I get lost in the soft music playing..  very few folks roaming around – a low key, relaxing oasis in the middle of the city.

View from Rooftop of Hampton Inn on Watts St.

3. For us outsiders without a crash pad (and even if you do), do yourself a favor and check out the 19th floor terrace of The Hampton Inn on Watts St… yes, you heard right, The Hampton Inn.  This small roof-top has one of the best views of sunset over the Hudson — all you have to do then is turn around and watch the Brooklyn Bridge painted in shades of cinnamon, rose, plums and lilacs..  Next collection? Done.

Mindy Kobrin, Lifestyle & Entertaining Expert

NY – The first official St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City was held in 1762 by Irish military men serving in the American colonies. Today, the parade attracts two million spectators and over 215,000 marchers participate in the parade annually. Each year on March 17, New Yorkers, Irish or not, are enthusiastic revelers of St. Patrick’s Day.  From attending the Parade along Fifth Avenue to having a traditional dinner of corned beef and cabbage at home, visitors and locals truly enjoy the luck of the Irish!

Here are three of my  ”Kiss the Blarney Stone” inspired favorite pubs:

McSorley’s

1.  McSorley’s Old Ale House
Established in 1854, McSorley’s can boast of being New York City’s oldest continuously operated saloon. Everyone from Abraham Lincoln to John Lennon have passed thru McSorley’s swinging doors. Woody Guthrie inspired the union movement from a table in the front – guitar in hand, while civil rights attorney’s Faith Seidenberg and Karen DeCrow had to take their case to the Supreme Court to gain access. Women were finally allowed access to McSorley’s in 1970! So belly up. Enter the sawdust strewn floors and history patched walls for a trip back through time. Share the McSorley’s experience with the spirits of 150 years!

The Thirsty Scholar

2.  The Thirsty Scholar
Originally called the Jolly Rodger, in 1999, this pub was born.  Serving up 20-ounce Imperial Pints of Guinness, Six Point Bengali Tiger, Brooklyn Lager, Hoegarden Wheat, Stella Artois, Coors Light, and Goose Island IPA makes it a popular Happy Hour destination. During the Winter months they serve up some HOT BOOZE…Spiked Apple Cider (we recommend you ask for the Honey Jack Daniels), Hot Toddy and Irish Coffee…

Ceol Pub in Brooklyn

3.  Ceol Pub, Brooklyn
Pronounced Kee-Ole, owner Loretta Heaney wanted to do it right! Honoring the Irish traditions of Ceol Ol agus Craic (good music, good drink, good fun) this watering hole is definitely worth the trip to Brooklyn.

If the parade is too crowded and Irish bars are not your scene, then be creative and plan your own Irish feast at home using my ideas and recipes to cook up homemade Bubble and Squeak and Irish Stew.

For more on Mindy, click here.